Energy access
UN: Developing countries offer "staggering" clean tech opportunity - Green businesses can take advantage of new markets and help UN meet its goal of universal access to energy, says UN Foundation executive. (Will Nichols, Business Green)
Praising India’s economic progress, Ban calls for more inclusive development - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today praised India’s economic development and called on the country build on it by implementing policies that reduce inequalities among society and take into account environmental and social factors. (UN News Centre)
23 National Energy, Private & Public Sector Leaders Make UN Sustainable Energy for All Commitments - Gathering in London for the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), energy ministers, and secretaries, from 23 governments around the world joined UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon’s Sustainable Energy for All program (SE4All) in committing to promote improved energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies and increased energy access around the world. (CleanTechnica)
Rio+20
The road to Rio+20: how has the UN process developed? (video) - Sustainability pioneers reflect on the shift of focus from the environment to sustainable development and discuss how business has become an essential element. (The Guardian)
The leadership role of cities worldwide grows as Rio +20 nears - Washington Post Writers Group Columnist, Neal Peirce, recently wrote a piece highlighting the growing demand from cities worldwide to play a greater role in the decision making process with international governing bodies, such as the United Nations. (Neal Peirce, National Geographic)
Rio+20 talks 'too focused on techno fixes', UN hears - The conviction that new technologies will solve the world's environmental and social problems has overly dominated early negotiations leading up to the Rio+20 summit in Brazil in June, a UN General Assembly meeting has heard. (Aisling Irwin, SciDevNet)
Energy efficiency
City Council Is Set to Encourage Greener Buildings With Zoning Changes - The New York City Council is expected to vote on Monday to update the city’s zoning regulations to make it easier for builders to insulate walls, install solar panels and put gardens on rooftops. (Mireya Navarro, The New York Times)
Renewable energy
Suzlon bags wind power project from UK's Eoxis - Wind turbine maker Suzlon Group today said it has bagged a contract to set up a wind power project in Rajasthan from UK-based Eoxis group. (The Economic Times)
Shell says no to North Sea wind power - Oil company insists it can't make the numbers add up to justify offshore windfarms. (Terry Macalister, The Guardian)
Maharashtra to boost power generation with three new solar energy plants - In an effort to boost power generation, Indian state of Maharashtra is looking for land to establish three solar power plants. (REVE)
Invest in renewable energy: scientist - The promotion of sustainable alternate energy sources, fuels other than oil and energy-efficient equipment are among strategies initiated in the country to achieve energy security, P. Sivakumar, Director, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), said on Thursday. (The Hindu)
Sustainable energy policy
Ministers Wrap Up Clean Energy Meeting - Their work is not sexy and generates little controversy or media coverage, but a group of energy and environment ministers from 22 countries and the European Union is claiming substantial progress in spreading energy efficiency and more affordable energy around the globe. (John M. Broder, The New York Times)
China Carbon Blockage Begins to Ease: Energy Markets - China is starting to approve emission credits after a seven-month freeze, stoking speculation a glut that’s contributed to an unprecedented decline in European carbon prices will keep growing. (Mathew Carr, Bloomberg)
Earth Negotiations Bulletin - On Thursday, 26 April, delegates continued informal negotiations on the draft outcome document for the UNCSD. WG1 completed its first reading on the thematic areas under Section V (Framework for Action) in morning and afternoon sessions. In the evening, WG1 discussed sustainable development goals (SDGs). WG2 continued discussions on Section IV (IFSD). A number of side events were also convened. (IISD Reporting Services)